Social Question

Is New Year's Day the closest thing to a Universal Holiday that Earth has?

I know the calendar is arbitrary. It might make more sense for New Years Day to fall on the average date of the Winter Solstice, or Summer Solstice for that matter. But a great deal of the world does use the Gregorian calenda most Western nations observe. Does this make New Year’s Eve the most widely celebrated event on Earth?

14 Answers

@ETpro Jewish New Year and Chinese New Year are celebrated on completely different dates, to give just two examples. Not every culture follows the Gregorian calendar where holidays and celebrations are concerned.

Happy New Year to you, @ETpro (and everyone regardless of your date of choice)! I view this evening as the date on which most of the world joins me in my love of champagne. For that alone, I raise my glass!

Every day is someone’s birthday. Each day, however is not a holiday,so I guess New Year’s day is closest we come to a universal celebration on earth. Now I’ve heard that the Martian senate is considering making new year’s day a holiday and that would make it a true universe-as-we-know-it holiday day. Anyhow, Happy New Year to us all, terrestrials and extra-terrestrials!

Woo Hoo! It worked. 2013 got here despite all the prophets of doom. To all who noted that this or that land celebrates New Year at some other time, yes, I know. That may be what led me to note than in the OP. But hey, I’m as guilty of glossing over question details as the worst of ya, to Have a Great 2013 whenever you think 2013 comes, and if you’d rather be in Hebrew 5773 that’s fine.

What I am sure of is that with enough champagne and a boost from a few mood modifiers of industrial strength, I luv all you guys. Happy today, tomorrow, and year to come.